Even scientists who merely ask
basic operational questions instead of
more challenging origins questions
have proven their motivation. They
want to produce publications more
than they want to ensure scientifically
determined findings. For this very
reason, Smaldino and McElreath
wrote: “Therefore, when researchers
are rewarded [by career advancement]
primarily for publishing, then habits
which promote publication are
naturally selected. Unfortunately,
such habits can directly undermine
scientific progress”, leading to “an
increase in false discoveries”.
3 So,
yes, if scientists were motivated by
logic and a sense that they ought to do
good science, then they might make
the changes for which Stadler calls.
But I won’t hold my breath.

The Scientific Approach to
Evolution explains in an accessible
way how six criteria for high-confidence science can expose exactly
what’s scientifically wrong with our
culture’s overconfident, pro-evolution
answers to origins questions. Along
the way, it gives confidence to those
willing to let science do only and
exactly what it can do. Stadler’s stark
logic and gracious tone might just turn
the tables on what his readers thought
they knew about the limits of science
and the scientific merits and demerits
of evolution. So, can science tell us if
evolution happened? After reading this
book, you’ll know. And you’ll know
exactly why you know.

Many ostensibly evangelical voices have arisen to question
the reality and/or significance of the
historical Adam and Eve in the last
decade or so. Books such as Peter
Enns’ The Evolution of Adam1 and
John Walton’s The Lost World of Adam
and Eve2 have lead the charge. Much
of the controversy goes back to claims
made by the founder of BioLogos, Dr
Francis Collins, in his 2006 book The
Language of God.
3 He claimed that,
since population genetics implies
that modern humans are descended
from a population of c. 10,000 people
around 100–150 thousand years ago,
Adam and Eve could not be historical
individuals.
3

These claims have not gone
unchallenged. Many articles and
books have been written in response.
4
Nonetheless, few books have had
creation biologists address the
biological objections Collins and
others have advanced against the
historical Adam.
5 Moreover, few
books have explored the ramifications
the historical reality of Adam has for
matters beyond biblical reliability and
Paul’s soteriology.

What Happened in the Garden?provides the first major attemptexplicitly by biblical creationiststo address these wider questions inbook form. It is a collection of essaysorganized by The Master’s College andedited by Abner Chou, Professor ofBible at The Master’s College. As thesubtitle points out, the book explores“The Reality and Ramifications of theCreation and Fall of Man”. It consistsof three main parts: part 1 explores thehistorical reality of Genesis 1–3, part 2explores the theological ramifica-tions of the reality of Genesis 1–3,and part 3 explores several widerworldview ramifications.

Part 1: Adam and history

History actualizes theology

Abner Chou’s chapter on the
interpretive issues of Genesis 1–3
in relation to the historical Adam
is perhaps the best contribution of
the volume. He addresses two main
challenges to the historical reading of
Genesis 2–3.

First, Chou shows that the Bible
does not work as if it contains
God’s inerrant ‘spiritual message’